Set screws for Phantom Breech

[SignOfZeta]

Does it matter? It’s like 3/16”. It’s maybe as thick as the screw is wide which is typically the absolute bare minimum ratio when using even good material. This isn’t a super robust area, mechanically speaking, even on a real Phantom, even without an undercocker.

Even if you wanted a temporary burner body made of plastic for some reason you’d still get stronger threads if you tapped them from a thick boss. Printing threads at that tiny scale is the definition of “half assed”. Well, that and carbon fiber submarines I suppose…

If the plan is to throw it in the garbage the next day then anything will do, naturally. I guess I don’t see any any reason to put hours on the printer to make garbage on purpose when, personally, I already do enough of that by accident.

[flyweightnate]

Also - what tech and material are you using to print? PLA or something a bit more robust, and FDM or something fancy?

[Have Blue]

That is not good advice. There simply isn’t enough material there for pure plastic. Even the real (metal) bodies have metal inserts. If you’re going to never use the gun or make breaches all the time I guess it’s fine.

Real Phantom breeches have inserts, but quite a few other Nelson designs do not. Since Taylor D is looking to just see if it can be done, I think threading right into the printed plastic is perfectly fine for proof-of-concept (since the CCI inserts aren't exactly cheap). Even better would be to have a conical lug/protrusion off the breech with a matching cavity in the printed trigger frame so that there's more thread engagement (and helps key the breech to the frame).

[Chuck E Ducky]

He documented the entire process on one of the Facebook Phantom pages. I remember it that was a while ago. While it worked it wasn’t very durable. I say go for it post up what you create.

[SignOfZeta]

The trigger frame assemply is more complicated with more moving parts, the breech is just one piece with 2 screws. All the actual mechanics are in the valve and trigger frame.

Printing a breech and trigger assembly as one part would make it rather difficult or outright impossible to open the gun up to access the internals. How would you even get the internals in?

Indeed. This makes way more sense than wasting plastic and electricity making a massively inferior version of a part that isn’t hard to find and doesn’t even cost very much.

A mono block Nelson could be cool. You could probably print a Sterling style body.

[Taylor D]

I mostly just want to see if I can 3D print a breech and barrel, if it will actually work.

I've seen a video where a guy 3D printed the entire phantom minus the valve and internals and it worked.

[Chuck E Ducky]

True I forgot about that, however if you were printing it you could slot the sides like a buzzard /Hammer and make the handle to. That would alleviate the need for the pump arm and key way.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Facts.

[JeepDVLZ45]

Preach!!

[flyweightnate]

This is the ultimate MCB reply.
"Hi guys, where can I find this paintball part? It's for a project."
"Ooh... I have an idea..."

Taylor, you're now legally obligated to post photos of whatever you come up with. People are emotionally involved.

[cryogenic76]

Shoulder screw for the trigger works great--I have one (machined from metal though) on my Phantom.

The only issue with the mono-body Phantom disassembly is removing the pump arm from the bolt, which I didn't think about when I posted. That said, there are options. For durability, a metal sleeve pressed/glued into the breech could help; however, that only makes sense if the purpose of the project is a larger body redesign.

I just mentioned the mono-body thing because it seems that if one is 3D printing Phantom bodies, a larger redesign might be fun. If you do print a body, please let us know how it goes!

[flyweightnate]

EV is selling them now, too - albeit at $7 each, and without the cool toolbox sticker you get from Airsoldier

[Chuck E Ducky]

You could put the trigger on a shoulder screw with a nut printed into the frame. Pull the trigger slide the internals out the back. Biggest issue is going to be the internals riding on the printed plastic. It’s not going to last long. Maybe if you anneal the print after you might get a lil more durability out of it. But I don’t see it lasting long.

[Taylor D]

If you are printing the breech, might you consider printing the trigger frame assembly and breech as the same part? You could even add the feed tube into the mix. Also consider that some of these 3D printing materials can glue rather well.

The trigger frame assemply is more complicated with more moving parts, the breech is just one piece with 2 screws. All the actual mechanics are in the valve and trigger frame.

Printing a breech and trigger assembly as one part would make it rather difficult or outright impossible to open the gun up to access the internals. How would you even get the internals in?

[Chuck E Ducky]

You have the valve body ones too? Like a full set of them? I been scared to remove mine for Ano for fear of not being able to replace them.